3 'robbers' killed in 'shootout'

Three alleged robbers have been killed in "shootouts" in three districts.

Two of the incidents involved police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) while the third, reportedly two groups of criminals.

In Laxmipur, Abdus Jaher alias Dama Kalu, 37, was killed in a "gun-fight" with police in Latifpur village of Sadar upazila early yesterday.

The incident occurred around 4:00am when police went to the village on information that a group of 10-15 armed men were preparing for a robbery there. Later on, the law enforcers besieged the criminals.

Sensing police presence, the "robbers" opened fire at them. Jaher was shot and killed on the spot after law enforcers retaliated with gun-shots, reports our Noakhali correspondent, quoting police and witnesses.

The other "criminals" fled. An LG, four bullets and several local arms were reportedly recovered from the spot. Five police members were injured and took first aid at Laxmipur Sadar Hospital.

Shah Mizan Safiur Rahman, superintendent of Laxmipur police, said Jaher was the prime accused in the recent murder of Omar Faruque, a former vice-president of Chandraganj Union Awami League.

He also stood accused in several criminal cases with Chandraganj and Laxmipur Sadar police stations, said the police official.

In Bagerhat, Akkas alias Rahim, an alleged ringleader of a Sundarbans robber gang, was killed in a "gun-fight" with the Rab yesterday morning, reports our correspondent.

Rab-8 Deputy Commander Major Adnan Kabir said one of their teams was suddenly attacked around 5:45am when it was patrolling the forest's Sharankhola Range in Aamgachia area.

The members of the elite force immediately fired back in retaliation, triggering the "shootout".

Around 6:30am, the attackers fled. Later, the bullet-hit body of Akkas and several arms were recovered from the spot, he added.

Sources at the Rab said the "robber", who hailed from Barguna's Patharghata, was the chief of "Sagar-Saikat Bahini".

In Cox's Bazar, Sazzad Hossain was shot when two groups of robbers exchanged fire in Yunuskhali village of Maheshkhali upazila around 11:30pm Tuesday, according to police.

Shyamal Kumar Nath, superintendent of police in the district, said on information they rescued the 29-year-old and admitted him to Maheshkhali Upazila Health Complex. He was shifted to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital where he died early yesterday.

The police official claimed Sazzad was a leader of "Ekram Bahini," a notorious local robber gang.

However, Sazzad's father Abdul Hashem claimed his son was not a robber and alleged police killed him in a "planned way", reports our Cox's Bazar correspondent.

Saikul Ahmad Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge of Maheshkhali Police Station, refuted the allegation and said Sazzad was facing several cases with the police station.

According to rights body Ain o Salish Kendra, 107 people have been killed in "crossfire" with law enforcers in the first nine months of this year.